Better Together: Twenty Years of Teapots

In celebration of the twentieth Craft Alliance Biennial focused on teapots, the Staenberg Gallery presents Better Together: Twenty Years of Teapots. The ritualistic use of tea sets varies across cultures and contexts—upon closer examination, our approach to tea becomes a reflection of class, politics, and the beliefs that shape how it is prepared, served, and enjoyed. The vessels and utensils designed for this age-old practice have been influenced by these very rituals, evolving from functional tools to objects of profound cultural significance. Whether it's the formality of high tea, the reverence of sacred tea ceremonies, or the everyday ritual of a midday break in a cubicle or carpool lane, these practices and their corresponding objects each tell a unique story.

Better Together brings together a diverse range of perspectives, rituals, and practices by inviting artists from various disciplines to explore their relationship with tea sets, services, and rituals. From the intricacy of a finely crafted tea service to the simplicity of a quiet cup enjoyed in the kitchen, from teaspoons to tea towels—what does the ritual of drinking tea mean to you? Collectively, these objects will offer a rich narrative about the role of tea in our modern world.

Entry fee is $30.00, with an additional $10.00 media fee for images over 3. Work samples must include a minimum of 3 and maximum of 6 total samples, consisting of 3 images (required), and up to 3 audio files and/or up to 3 video files. Exhibition dates are August 29 - November 1, 2025. Applicants will be notified by June 12, 2025. Work must be delivered by August 15, 2025 and will be returned November 12, 2025. Juror: Margaret Bohls, Associate Professor of Art at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, with extensive teaching experience and work in over 100 exhibitions and major museum collections.